Closing device for collapsible tubes



Dec, 6, 1938. P. 'A. NEUMANN CLOSING DEVICE FOR COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Jan. 51, 1938 ZNVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in closing devices for collapsible tubes, and the objects of the improvements are, first, to provide a closing device having a cap which can be quickly 5 removed and replaced without any screwing action, and second, to provide a cap which is permanently attached to the tube without necessitating any changes in the manufacture of the tubes.

1 attain these objects by mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a side view of the upper part of a tube with the cap closing the tube; Fig. 2 is a top view of the tube also showing the cap closing the tube; Fig. 3 is a side view of the same tube with the cap removed from the mouth of the tube and resting beside it on the top of the tube; Fig. 4 is a top view also showing the cap removed from the mouth of the tube and resting on its top; Fig. 5 is a top View of one part of the mechanism.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

In Figs. 1 to 4 the upper part of a collapsible tube I is shown. 2 is the cap which may preferably be provided with a buttcnlike upper projection 3; an elastic member 4, preferably a rubber band, is attached to the cap 2 by means of the button 3; this rubber band 4 is attached with both its ends to a member 5 which, preferably, is an elastic steel clamp as shown in Fig. 5. The member 5 may be provided with two outward projections 6 to facilitate the attaching of the rubber band 4 thereon, and the member 5 may be provided with inward projections 1. These inward projections l are adapted to make impressions on the tube but they are unnecessary if, on two opposite sides, the member 5 is narrower than the diameter of the tube and presses into it. The member 5 is slipped over the tube I below its top and the inward projections 1 make impressions on each side of the tube thereby giving the member 5 a firm hold thereon. The cap 2 is not provided with a thread on its inner side and it is wide enough to fit over the thread of the mouth of the tube.

The customary way of closing a tube by screwing a cap onto its mouth has the drawbacks that sometimes the thread gets out of order, or that the cap falls down or is mislaid. By my invention these drawbacks are avoided and the opening and closing of the tube is done much quicker than in the customary way as no screwing is necessary. The cap 2 is simply lifted off the mouth of the tube, moved a little to the side and let go. The rubber band pulls the cap down onto the top of the tube at the side of its mouth and holds it there. To replace the cap it is lifted again and let go over the mouth of the tube. The customary screwing cap with a thread can, if desired, be used as before besides the cap 2, for instance to keep the contents of the tube from being squeezed out by tight packing on journeys.

In the drawing I have shown the simplest forms of the mechanism for my invention. The elastic member 4 can simply be a rubber band provided with a hole in the middle to fasten it to the button 3 of the cap 2 and with a hole at each end to fasten it to the projections 6. These fastenings, however, can be made in any other way, and the member 5 can have difierent forms.

I claim:

1. Closing device for collapsible tubes consisting of a member adapted to make impressions on the tube when being fastened below its top and adapted to be held in position by these impressions; elastic members attached to said member; and a cap fitting over the mouth of the tube and fastened to these elastic members.

2. Closing device for collapsible tubes consisting of an elastic clamp adapted to make impressions on the tube when being fastened below its top and adapted to be held in position by these impressions; a rubber band attached to the clamp and a cap fitting over the mouth of the tube and fastened to the rubber band.

PAUL A. NEUMANN.

I CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. Patent Non 2,159,171. December 6, 1958,

' PAUL A. NEUMANN. I

t It is hereby certified that error appears in Che above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: In the drawing, Figures 5 andhshould appear as shown below instead of as in the present drawing and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the recordof the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 21st day of February, A. Da 1959.:

Henry Van Arsdaler (Seal) I Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

